Meanwhile, Barack Obama is facing a growing list of already huge foreign policy challenges.

Among these the Iraq war and the global financial crisis are his top priorities.

President-elect Barack Obama is saddled with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that he is inheriting from President George W. Bush.

At the same time, he must deal with a spreading global economic slowdown and the threat of terror amid a historic transfer of power.

Madeline Albright, Former US Secretary of State, said, "No president ever comes in and has a completely clean slate, you have to pick up the ball in various places and move it from where it is at the time."

Obama's leadership will be tested immediately and in many ways. His performance from the outset could well set the tone for his presidency.

Forcing its way to the top of Obama's overflowing to-do list has been the conflict in the Middle East, with Israel's punishing offensive into Gaza launched late December.

The recent flare-up in Gaza highlights, for some analysts, the importance of restarting a comprehensive peace initiative in the region.

Shibley Telhami, Mideast Analyst, said, "President Obama maybe the last President to have the option more conflict, more bloodshed."

(CCTV January 15, 2009)